Diplomate Spotlight – Dr. Essence Johnson

After earning her Bachelor of Science in Vision Science and doctoral degrees from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, Dr. Essence Johnson completed a residency in Ocular Disease at Omni Eye Associates of Atlanta under ABO Diplomate Dr. Paul Ajamian. There she gained extensive experience in diagnosing and managing complex anterior and posterior segment conditions.

Dr. Johnson has been practicing for 15 years across private practice, community health clinics, and correctional health. Her focus has always been on increasing access to care, particularly for underserved communities, through in-person care, telehealth, and clinical trials. She is passionate about health equity, ensuring patients receive quality care and education to make informed health decisions.

Becoming board certified was an intentional decision to demonstrate her commitment to lifelong learning and clinical excellence. She wanted to ensure she was always providing the highest standard of care, staying current with advancements in optometry, and holding herself accountable to the profession. As a minority provider, Dr. Johnson saw it as an opportunity to serve as a role model and highlight the importance of representation at all levels of optometry, including advanced certification.

Dr. Johnson explains “Board certification has elevated clinical competency in optometry, reinforcing our credibility as optometric physicians. It signifies a commitment to excellence, continuous education, and evidence-based practice. Personally, it has strengthened my confidence in managing complex cases and opened doors for leadership, teaching, and advocacy. It has also allowed me to mentor other optometrists considering certification and professional growth beyond licensure.”

In addition to being a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry (ABO), she is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO), and a member of the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the National Optometric Association (NOA). She also serves on the Transitions Optical Diversity Advisory Board and the Eyecare Business Advisory Board and has previously been part of the Women In Optometry Advisory Board, Association of Clinicians for the Underserved Vision Services Committee and a Contact Lens Visionary.

To serve, to educate, and to create lasting impact is Dr. Essence Johnson’s mission and it shows through her leadership in the optometric community.

“Mentorship and representation have always been at the core of my journey—they were the foundation of my personal statement for optometry school. As a student, I was inspired by Black female optometrists, and I know firsthand how powerful it is to see someone who looks like you thriving in a field where you are underrepresented. That experience shaped my commitment to mentorship and advocacy,” explains Dr. Johnson.

This passion led her to serve as the Executive Director of the Black EyeCare Perspective and co-found the Black EyeCare Perspective Pre-Optometry Club, the first national and virtual pre-optometry club recognized by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). Their mission is simple but critical: to ensure that not a single potential Black optometry student or future optometrist is ignored, discouraged, or disadvantaged. Through mentorship, education, and strategic partnerships, they are building a stronger, more inclusive pipeline into the profession.

She leads efforts to develop healthcare career pathways for K-12 students, ensuring they have access to college and career experiences that prepare them for the future. As the Director of Healthcare Careers at Uplift Education, she manages over $25 million in grants, developing initiatives that provide hands-on healthcare experiences, mentorship, and career readiness. Her work focuses on breaking down barriers and ensuring students—especially those from historically underrepresented backgrounds—have the resources and support they need to thrive in healthcare careers.

Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Johnson is deeply involved in education and workforce development. She teaches at the doctoral level, helping shape the next generation of optometric physicians and healthcare professionals by emphasizing ethics, professionalism, and strategic leadership. She also lectures and presents at conferences on leadership, practice management, and social determinants of health.

Beyond optometry, her goal is to build sustainable systems that empower the next generation—whether it’s K-12 students exploring healthcare careers, pre-optometry students navigating the profession, or young professionals establishing themselves. She is intentional about legacy building, ensuring the programs she creates thrive beyond her direct involvement.

She is active in Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., where she serves as a financial officer and works to improve the quality of life for women and families through community service, education, and leadership development.

Dr. Johnson and her husband, Randall, share two amazing children, Rammona and Randall II. She loves spending quality time with her family, traveling, and creating new experiences. We thank Dr. Johnson for her commitment to the profession, to her community and to lifelong learning and excellence through board certification.